2012 NBA Mock Draft: International Prospects Sure to Become Flops

With the 2012 NBA draft on Thursday, June 28, the excitement over one of the biggest days on the NBA calendar is reaching its boiling point.

While the majority of fans are wondering where the big names will fall, the hardcore basketball fanatics are digging deeper. During this mock, we will talk about international prospects sure to be flops.

This season has far less impactful imports, so there will only be one international incident to report after this season. The potential bust is italicized.

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Was the NBA Draft Lottery Fixed?

Yes, it's clearNo, that's stupidSubmit Votevote to see results

Was the NBA Draft Lottery Fixed?

Yes, it's clear

60.1%

No, that's stupid

39.9%

Total votes: 779

The unquestioned and most deserving No. 1 in this draft, the New Orleans Hornets are getting a defensive stud in Anthony Davis.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

With Michael Jordan’s affinity for scoring and scorers, the Bobcats will snag top offensive threat Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Not a bad consolation prize.

3. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

The best NBA-ready prospect in this draft, Thomas Robinson will be a beast in the low post for the Wizards. Add in John Wall and be prepared for a new mindset in Washington.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

With Kyrie Irving running the point, Bradley Beal would step into the league and make Cleveland’s backcourt the stuff championships are made of. Watch out for the Cavs next season.

Damian Lillard is the best all-around point guard in the draft, and he compares favorably to Russell Westbrook. With a stagnant offense, Lillard will be the head of the offense that the Trail Blazers have missed.

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Golden State needs talent and depth at small forward, but UNC star Harrison Barnes will only bring the depth. I have Barnes as an NBA bust.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Toronto needs a player who can play or slide to small forward and make his own shots. While Jeremy Lamb isn’t the perfect fit, his upside is too great for the Raptors to pass on at No. 8.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

The Detroit Pistons need help under the basket, and Ohio State standout Jared Sullinger will add a toughness and tenacity that the team has missed for years. Detroit will love Sullinger, despite his OU heritage.

While the Rockets develop Perry Jones III, they will look to Tyler Zeller to be the NBA-ready starter and eventually back up Jones. In a perfect world, Houston would grab two solid centers and develop them both into NBA-caliber talent.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

With Jason Kidd’s days numbered, drafting the best pure point guard available will be the only choice for Dallas. North Carolina’s Kendall Marshall is that man.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, Washington

Terrence Ross is not a power forward or a point guard. That means that there will be a chance he could start in the NBA for the Timberwolves.

19. Orlando Magic: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Orlando has lacked an elite playmaking point guard who has no problem dishing the ball. But Dwight Howard may want to stay if the team selects Marquis Teague at No. 19. There would be plenty of alley-oops in Magicland.

While Moe Harkless is a long-term prospect who needs to be developed, he has the potential to be the scoring small forward that the team has lacked since trading Carmelo.

21. Boston Celtics: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

The plan in Boston should be to sign Kevin Garnett to a one-year extension and allow him to help turn Arnett Moultrie into a Celtic.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Quincy Miller, Baylor

With Ray Allen likely out of Boston’s plans going forward, drafting a pure-shooting guard like Quincy Miller is a no-brainer. If the Celtics get Moultrie and Miller back-to-back, this will be a great draft for their future.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, Iowa State

While Royce White isn’t the sexiest pick, he can do all the small things right while going at 100 percent at all times. On an Atlanta team that gets lazy, White will be a spark plug.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

With Cleveland in the search for a title, it has completely committed to rebuilding the team through the draft. Risking a late first-round pick on a player with as much potential as Andrew Nicholson is an easy call.

While many scouts are high on foreign prospects, I do not have any slated as first-round worthy. With that said, Evan Fournier will go to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 25.

Fournier will be the only international star chosen in the first round, because the sheer lack of talent coming out this year, coupled with the great NCAA class, has made these long-term risks not worth it.

Memphis has the depth and talent to stash a prospect like Fournier, but having a role player who will still be nothing in five years is a bad investment any way you look at it.

26. Indiana Pacers: Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

One of the toughest players in the 2012 class, Jeffery Taylor offers the perimeter offense while defending his position with a tenacity that will have Larry Bird salivating at the idea of selecting the Vanderbilt star.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

Miami needs all kinds of help. Fab Melo is a great selection for the Heat at No. 27, though.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

The Oklahoma City Thunder are a team based on character, and there is no better leader coming out of college than Michigan State’s Draymond Green. While he will assume a bench position, Green will have a great impact on the team.